LC gets national ranking for growth

Lake Charles ranked No. 31 in the nation on a list of metropolitan cities’ expected growth, topping all other major cities
in the state, according to a report released Wednesday by the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

The study, done by IHS Global Insight, ranked cities based on gross metropolitan product and annual job growth. The firm makes
predictions for the upcoming year.

Lake Charles is expected to grow 3.7 percent in 2014, benefiting from the more than $62 billion in announced capital investments
in Southwest Louisiana.

Other Louisiana cities and their rankings: New Orleans, 54; Houma, 97; Baton Rouge, 133; Monroe, 213; and Lafayette, 361.
Shreveport-Bossier City came in last at 363.

“It’s validation of how we’ve shifted
economic development occurring only in the confines of the community,”
Roach said Wednesday.
“This reinforces the decisions we made to move toward regional
collaboration.”

Lake Charles also placed above other
Louisiana cities on the list — 42nd — for improved employment growth and
unemployment
rates. Workforce development officials in Southwest Louisiana have
predicted 20,000 construction jobs, 5,000 permanent jobs
and 8,000 indirect jobs over the next five years.

The Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance has been able to work with business and industry prospects in the area
and the state, Roach said.

“We’re experiencing the dividends for that,” he said. “It’s all part of a larger piece of the puzzle. This is a good thing
for our area.”

According to the report, Lake Charles’ GMP decreased 7.2 percent in 2011, but increased 2.5 percent in 2012 and 3.1 percent
in 2013.